Staff Matters October 23, 2020 Issue 280 Week 17
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF AFFORD'S EXCITING NEW SITES FROM DSA
In This Issue
We are so excited to announce Afford has taken over Disability Services Australia sites in Goulburn, Albion Park and Camperdown in NSW. This will ensure the continuation of services for the many clients that attend these sites and will present existing clients with greater opportunities and choice to access their local community, learn new skills, make new friends and live life on their terms.
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Afford’s Exciting Merger With DSA! Trivia Afford Reward Of The Week
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Campbelltown’s Dancing School Swings Into Action Staff Profile
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This year has been such a huge year for Afford’s growth, with our expansion into SA, WA and new regions in NSW, QLD and VIC. However, many other service providers in our sector are struggling to maintain financial viability of their organisation. As a result, many of them had to cancel or reduce services and supports significantly, which impacted many families who relied on these services for their loved ones.
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Afford Learning Takes Off! Reminder Celebrating 5 Years of Service Handyman Timetable Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events Trivia Answer
Thankfully, Afford has stepped in to ensure the continuation of supports for clients of DSA and welcome them into the Afford community. A huge welcome to our newest Affordians joining our tribe and a special welcome to clients and carers at our 3 new Day Programs, which includes 93 clients and 48 staff. We are looking forward to transforming these sites into amazing Afford hubs with our signature look and outstanding facilities. Welcome to the Afford family to our new staff and clients!
DEAL OF THE WEEK Get AWards Night ready! ENJOY EVERY DAY SAVINGS ON THESE BRANDS!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Tamara McGettigan POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Ipswich, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG Shatter Me by Lindsey Stirling FAVOURITE MOVIE? The Harry Potter series FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Scouting - I'm a Cub Scout Leader FAVOURITE FOODS? Roast chicken and vegetables made by Mum IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A dog, so I can play and be cuddled all day WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Great Barrier Reef IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Homelessness and world hunger IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? That we all pave our paths SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I am the creator of the Phoenix Homeless Shelter project
October 23, 2020 Issue 280
CAMPBELLTOWN’S DANCING SCHOOL SWINGS INTO ACTION Morgan Keane is an Afford Lifestyle Assistant, who joined our organisation in February this year. She works at our Campbelltown Day Program and has a passion for dancing. Morgan was a dance teacher prior to moving into the disability sector and it didn’t take long for her to realise just how much our clients love dancing too. We are excited to see Morgan taking the initiative and using her skills to launch Campbelltown Day Program’s Dance School. Morgan organised the new classes for our clients every Wednesday, at the studio she used to teach and dance. Fortunately for our Campbelltown clients, she is generously sharing her more than 20-years of experience as a dancer and dance teacher to create a stimulating dance school program for clients of all abilities to enjoy. Having a dedicated dance space, with all the equipment they need, helps to enhance the experience for all. As part of the dance school program, clients are learning various dance moves, as well as skills to extend their flexibility and gross motor skills. Many clients are showing fantastic talent and skills and are enjoying the social aspect of the program. “Caylon, David and Ben are coming out of their shell and trying new dance moves. Martha, Megan and Karla are flaunting their dance skills and love learning new things. Everyone is so excited to show the staff, their peers and their family the dance routine we are creating! The dance school program will make every Wednesday full of creativity, individuality and fun,” said Natalie Miller, Team Leader at Campbelltown Day Program. “I’m teaching jazz and hip hop, as well as some jumping, technical kicking and skipping skills which helps with balance and coordination,” said Morgan. We are so proud of our staff each and every day, we have the best-trained staff in the sector and the best tribe of people who genuinely care about our clients. Our team bring their talents and skills from various backgrounds and life experiences to make every day for clients an opportunity to learn, progress their skills and have fun.
www.afford.com.au
October 23, 2020 Issue 280
Staff Matters AFFORD LEARNING TAKES OFF! Afford sites across Australia held their official Afford Learning Launch event last Friday. It was a day of excitement as it was one of the first opportunities since COVID-19 for teams to get together in small groups and celebrate a huge milestone for Afford and the future of our staff development. It was fantastic to see so many sites go above and beyond for their launch day, organising Afford Learning goodies, banners, balloons, drinks and of course lots of yummy food. Our social media was flooded with Affordians enjoying the Afford Learning launch! The new learning portal will support our staff in continuing their professional development and will replace our old learning portal, ELMO. Afford staff were sent their activation emails on Friday and were able to log into the new portal and check out the new and improved way of learning. Many staff members experienced the ease of use and found it was a lot more interactive and engaging compared to our old learning platform. Staff were ready to jump straight in and complete their compulsory modules and be one of the first 50 staff to finish. A challenge was set for the first 50 to complete their compulsory modules to receive a $50.00 Visa gift card voucher. Watch this space for the winners! The game has changed when it comes to learning at Afford and we can’t wait to see our staff excel in their learning and enjoy the new platform.
Reminder! EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) Free confidential counseelling service for all Afford staff. We encourage you to reach out and use this service if you need support, help or just someone to speak too face-to-face or online.
1800 818 728 or 02 824 79191or info@acesseap.com.au
www.afford.com.au
October 23, 2020 Issue 280
Staff Matters CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF SERVICE Please join us in congratulating our Executive Manager – National Commercial Development & Legal, Christina Emmanouel and Executive Manager National Business Development & Queensland Client Services, Allan Sio on five years of service with Afford! Christina and Allan play such a large role in our organisation, in many aspects of our business. So, we wanted to take a moment to say thanks and congratulations! They joined Afford in 2015 and over the past five years, it has been incredible to see the growth of this powerful duo, who both continue to excel every day. Together they have been instrumental in shaping Afford as a company and growing our culture.
Christina is passionate about enabling Afford to help more people in more places. She is responsible for generating business growth through leadership of Afford’s Sales, Property, Marketing, Fundraising and Support Coordination Teams. She was also Afford’s Company Sectary for a number of years while she studied her law degree, which she graduated from last year. Her responsibilities also include strategic development via mergers and acquisitions and for overseeing legal matters. Most recently, successfully managing the take over of Disability Services Australia sites in Goulburn, Albion Park and Camperdown in NSW. Allan is responsible for the operational management and strategic development of Afford’s Queensland operations. He has six years of experience working in complex one-to-one and crisis scenarios that have shaped his informed and practical approach to middle and senior management. Allan’s comprehensive frontline and managerial experience give him the knowledge and expertise to lead our operations in Queensland, liaise with relevant stakeholders and support business development. He has been the drive behind our success in Queensland and will now play a huge part in our Perth and Adelaide expansion. We are excited to see what the next five years will bring for Christina and Allan as they continue to spread their wings with Afford. Working closely together in new territories, they will be the driving force behind our expansion and success into Adelaide and Perth.
Handyman Timetable
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 26th October: Jamisontown, Butterflies & Cranebrook - Tuesday 27th October: Narellan Vale, Narellan & Glen Alpine - Wednesday 28th October: Campbelltown & Leumeah - Thursday 29th October: - Friday 30th October:
South Windsor & Bligh Park True Blue, Weekly Catch Up & Urgent Requests
E WEEK
strict Manager, Selfie Above: Di r HR Officer, Charlie Seu, Senio Property Team, d an gg Melanie Lu ma Travers. Em Kim Nguyen and ide! ela Ad in wn do touch
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Hills LSAs, Gregory Amad Pras ad and Gemma Bat eup at Che rrywood Friendship Farm.
DATE:
EVENT:
1 - 31 October
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
18 - 24 October
Invisible Disabilities Week
31 October
Annual Staff Awards Gala
1-7 November
National Others Week
Your birthday is on 31st December and
A: today is 1st January.
www.afford.com.au